DAY CARE DILEMMA: Regional service offers four day care programs

SSEE is a program within South Shore Community Action Council, a nonprofit corporation that receives federal and state funding so it can provide programs for the needy.

Emily Clark eclark@wickedlocal.com @emilyOCM

Don’t bother heading to South Shore Early Education’s website to see if you qualify for free or reduced-rate day care; call SSEE instead.

That was the sentiment expressed by South Shore Early Education Director Jennifer Swinhart and Intake Manager Lori Pearson. Too often, parents assume they don’t qualify for Head Start free day care or other government-subsidized day care programs when they actually do, Swinhart said.

SSEE is a program within South Shore Community Action Council, a nonprofit corporation that receives federal and state funding so it can provide programs for the needy.

SSEE offers four day care programs, in fact, giving parents plenty of wiggle room when it comes to fitting their child into the just the right day care environment.

South Shore Early Education, located at 196 South Meadow Road in Plymouth, provides day care to struggling families that wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it.

SSEE offers Head Start, or free day care, for children ages 3 to 5, and Early Head Start for children ages 3 months to 3 years old. Head Start, however, is a half-day program, whereas SSEE’s Early Education and Care program for children ages 2 years and 9 months to age 5 runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Homeless children and children under the purview of the Department of Children and Families are eligible for this all-day care. The Early Education and Care program, known as EEC, offers a range of eligibility, however, based on income and whether the child is disabled. The parent or parents have to be working at least 30 hours a week for their children to be eligible for EEC day care.

“Head Start is income-eligible,” Pearson said. “If a family is receiving Social Security, transitional assistance, is homeless or the child is a foster child, they’re automatically eligible.”

Homeless children can qualify for more than just the half-day Head Start program, Swinhart added. These kids are transitioned from Head Start into EEC so their parents can work or find work.

SSEE also offers a private pay program whereby anyone can enroll his or her child in the day care programs for a rate of $187-per-week. There is no eligibility requirement for this private pay program, which most find is significantly less expensive than what other day care programs charge.

SSEE is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and requires that all day care teachers have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Children enrolled in SSEE day care programs are required to have up-to-date dental and medical care. Parents must demonstrate the child has a dedicated pediatrician.

“We have to abide by Head Start standards,” Swinhart explained. “And there are 2,000 of those.”

SSEE, which accepts day care vouchers, provides comprehensive services for children in its care, including mental health and disabilities services, education, health and nutrition. The organization also provides transportation services for parents who don’t have cars. Children enrolled in any SSEE program receive healthy meals and are taught the importance of nutritious food and exercise.

Parents interested in enrolling a child in SSE day care meet with Pearson, who helps determine what programs the child is eligible for and will work best. Parents are required to furnish Pearson with a birth certificate, proof of income and records indicating the child has had a recent physical, been immunized and receives dental care.

Once a program is chosen, the parents and child attend an orientation session before classes begin and fill out an emergency information sheet. Once these steps are completed, Junior is ready for day care.

Head Start’s day begins with a greeting from the staff. Children then take off their coats, have breakfast, help with clean up, brush their teeth and enjoy circle time, in which kids go from one educational learning station to another. Outdoor time follows, weather permitting, then there is story time and lunch.

Pearson stressed that she helps parents through the entire process, from beginning to end, and has discovered that many don’t know they qualify for Head Start or other assisted day care services.